UDC alum Corey Smedley is no stranger to “firsts.” Thirty years ago, he became the first person in his family to earn a bachelor’s degree. Today, he is the first Black fire chief of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.
“My mom told me to always get a good education and to do my best—whatever I put my mind to,” says Smedley, who was sworn in as Montgomery County fire chief July 15.
Born in Washington, D.C., Smedley was raised primarily by a single mother who helped him fill out his college application for the University of the District of Columbia and apply for financial aid.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do in life, but if you had an education you had a higher probability of success,” Smedley says.
The new chief has served in multiple fire departments, including the city of Alexandria, also becoming the first African American chief in that jurisdiction.
At UDC, Smedley (Class of ’94) studied communication—acquiring skills he still leverages today to make a bigger impact in his community.
“How do you connect your communication degree with fighting fire and serving the community? I can tell you it has been a significant foundation in how I lead,” he says.
Smedley has already produced a video introducing himself to the department. “Being able to communicate well in that space really starts to help build that relationship, build that bond. And I can [attribute] that to the time I was able to spend at UDC.”
The fire chief already has big plans for the department—including forging partnerships with local universities that include his alma mater. And he has some advice for prospective Firebirds.
“I would definitely recommend the university [as the place] to go to pursue their education,” he says.